ARSONISTS who set fire to a wheelie bin in Nelson have been slammed by fire chiefs.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Brunswick Street at just before midnight on Monday.

It took a crew 20 minutes to put the fire out.

Lee Garnett, crew manager at Nelson Fire Station , said: “Deliberate fires can cost lives. They also put a strain on fire service resources that may be required elsewhere.

“When it is time for bins to be emptied, it is always recommended to put bins outside on the morning of collection if possible.”